Iran is now in its third consecutive week of widespread anti-government demonstrations, marking the most significant wave of public dissent the country has witnessed since 2022. The protests, which have ignited across all 31 provinces, persist despite a severe security crackdown and a near-complete government-imposed blackout of internet and phone services.
Escalating Violence and Widespread Arrests
According to activists, the toll from the unrest has grown sharply. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported on Sunday that at least 538 people have lost their lives since the protests began. The agency stated that among the deceased, 490 were protesters and 48 were members of the security forces.
Furthermore, the crackdown has led to mass detentions, with more than 10,600 individuals arrested over the past two weeks. These figures, highlighted by HRANA, have not been independently verified by Reuters. Iranian authorities have not released any official casualty count.
US Considers Response as Iran Issues Stark Warning
The ongoing crisis has drawn intense international scrutiny, particularly from the United States. President Donald Trump is actively evaluating a spectrum of potential responses to the situation in Iran. As per information from two US officials to CNN, the options under consideration include military measures, cyber operations, stricter sanctions, and technical support to help Iranian protesters circumvent internet restrictions.
The Wall Street Journal added that President Trump is scheduled to receive a detailed briefing from senior officials on Tuesday. In a firm rebuttal to any potential American action, Iranian leaders have issued clear warnings. Parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf stated that any attack by the US would render American bases, ships, and Israel as "legitimate targets" for retaliation, according to a Reuters report.
A Nation Cut Off Amid Defiant Protests
Despite the severe communication blackout and the visible presence of security forces, demonstrators have continued to gather. Eyewitness accounts and videos circulating on social media, verified by the Associated Press, show protesters returning to the streets in various cities. One such video from Tehran captures a defiant scene of protesters dancing and cheering around a bonfire, a powerful symbol of resistance against the intensifying government crackdown.
The persistence of the protests and the scale of the reported casualties indicate a deep-seated unrest within Iranian society. The international community now watches closely as the internal crisis intersects with heightened geopolitical tensions, with the US administration poised to decide its next move.
